There is a debate in the American Jewish community. In May of this year,
Rabbi Norman Lamm, the Chancellor of Yeshiva University in New York,
predicted the demise of the Conservative and Reform movements. As quoted in
the Jerusalem Post, here is Lamm's statement: "With a heavy heart we will
soon say kaddish on the Reform and Conservative movements." According to Lamm
the reason for this coming demise is the loss of real convictions
foundational to Judaism.

The following week Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, the executive vice president of the
Conservative Movement's Rabbinical Assembly, sought to rebut Rabbi Lamm,
pointing to some programs in Conservative Judaism that are vibrant and
successful. However, Rabbi Schonfeld was surely "whistling in the dark." The
overwhelming statistics show that in attendance, education, intermarriage,
assimilation, and Jewish practice, Conservative and Reform Judaism are in
decline.